The Centre of Archaeology, based at Staffordshire University, was commissioned in September 2018 by Osbornes Architects to undertake a Desk Based Assessment of the land adjacent to Palmer's Farm, Wilmcote, Warwickshire (NGR SP 16417 58114). The assessment comprised a search of the readily accessible documentary and historic cartographic sources from the Warwickshire Historic Environment Record, Shakespeare Birthplace Trust archives and information obtained from online archaeological catalogues. Osbornes architects and the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust has put together plans to redevelop the land immediately east of Palmer's Farm. The plans involve a proposed eastern extension to the existing carpark providing 29 new spaces and the introduction of 10 new spaces within the existing car park. The proposed development sits within an area of archaeological potential. Future groundworks across the development area have the potential to expose hitherto unknown archaeological remains, potentially of medieval to post-medieval origin. The site is thought to lie within the core of the historic medieval settlement of Wilmcote, and close to several historic and listed buildings, particularly those surviving within Palmer's Farm and Mary Arden's Farm. The historic environment record registers a significant number of events, monuments and listed buildings within the wider study area. The largest representation in the archaeological and historical record is that of medieval and post-medieval/ industrial period. The proposed development lies within the setting of Palmers' farmhouse and farm, a Grade I listed building and the impact on setting is therefore a key issue. In general, the construction of the proposed car park extension would not greatly influence the setting of the nearby listed Palmer's farm and associated buildings. The impact of the loss of part of the historic boundary which has been a feature of the landscape from at least the 19th century is offset by the benefits of creating improved parking areas, thus alleviating the pressure on the surrounding area.
William Mitchell (Mon,) studied this question.